Electric massage-roll.



Patented Apr. 15., 1913.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL TIBBALS, 0F ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR T0 THOBAL ELECTRIC COMIPANY,

0F ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, .A CORPORATION OIFMISSOUB'I. I

ELECTRIC MASSAGE-ROLL.

Patented Apr. .15, 1913.

Application led September 24, 1909, Serial No. 519,339. Renewed .Tune 21, 1912.` Serial No. 705,102.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it -known that I, DANIEL TIBBALS, a

citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Massa e-Rolls, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanyingl drawings,l

forming a part hereof, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation, of my new-electric massage roll or instrument; Fig. 2'is a fragmentary elevational view thereof, partly broken away; 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on the lines 3-3 of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the under side or face of the closure for the up er en d of the shell or casing forming the andle of mv new instrument and which closurealsodirectly supports the massage roll; Fig. 5 1s a vertical sectional view through said closure taken approximately onV the line.5-5, 4; Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the 1nduction coils and their supporting-frame used in my new instrument, showing also the armature therefor and the several leads from the secondar winding thereof, whereby the intensity o the induced current supplied to the electrodes may be regulated or varied; Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken approximately on the line77 of Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the primary and secondary electric circuits through my new massage instrument or roll.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in electric 'massagelinv the like 5 preferably electrically secured to struments or rolls, ,the objects of my invention being to provide an instrument of the kind stated which is comparatively simple in construction, which may be manufactured and supplied or furnished users or consumers at small cost, in which the intensity` of the current or electric sensation applied to the user may be readily and easily reguinstrument is adapted to distribute the mastion, arrangement, and combination of parts,

all as hereinafter fully described and afterward pointed out in the claims. Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, 1 indicates a preferably openended metallic or electrical conducting cylindrical shell or casing, which is adapted to .provide the handle of my new massage instrument and which also forms art of the primary circuit therethrough, as ereinafter more fully appearing.

Within the lower portion of shell 1, as shown particularly in Fig. 1, is removably positioned a suit-able electric battery or cell 2 preferably cylindrical in shape and of such size relatively to the interior diameter of shell l so as to fit snugly therein, battery 2 being preferably of that type' wherein the outer Wall thereof, as at 2, forms one element of the batteryl and the head of vthe other element, as at 2b, projects upwardly slightly beyond the top thereof. Battery 2 is preferably insulated at its sidesfrom the sides 'of shell 1 bymeans of suitable insula- -tion .material 3 'interposed therebetween and is removably heldin position in shell 1 by means of a suitable metallic cap-piece 4 threaded on, and adapted 'to close` thev lower end of shell 1, a suitable coiled spring or cap 4 and interposed therebetween and the lower end of battery 2 bei adapted notv only to normally contact. and thereby form an electrical connection between battery element vor contact 2'L and cap 4 and shell 1', 'but alSo to normally maintain battery element or :Contact 2b 1n constant contact with a suitable metallic plate or contact 6a 'arranged'on the under face of, and secured in position by means ofa suitable metallic screw 6 extendingupwardly through the base 7 of' a 4member A removably arranged in casing land bodily rotarily movable. about the longitudinal axis thereof abovebattery 2.asshown particularly in Fig. l. This memberA comprises said base 7, which-.is preferably a disk of any suitable insulation material, a head 8, which is likewise preferably a disk of any suitable insulation material, and a vertically-disposed substantially U-shaped metallic' frame 9 interposed between said base 7 and head 8, said frame 9 being integrally provided with upper and lower flanged portions 9a and 9b, respectively, adapted to receive and electrically engage or contact with, respectively, said screw or contact 6 and a screw or other suitable contact 10 extending upwardly through said head 8 and whereby also said frame 9 is securely held in position between said base 7 and head 8. Mounted on and carried by' said frame 9, as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 6, are induction coils 11-11. These coils 11--11 are preferably supported on frame 9 by means of suitable metallic screws 12--12 passed through one flange, as, for instance, iiange a, of frame 9 into the cores thereof, as shown particularly in. Fig. 6, the said cores, screws 12-12, and the portion of ange a of frame 9 between said screws thereby forming substantially a horseshoe-shaped core or magnet adapted to be magnetized and 4having its opposite leg-portions closely adjacent, for purposes hereinafter appearing.

Arranged preferably on the core of lower coil 11, and insulated therefrom and from flange a of frame 9 and coil 11 by suitable insulation blocks 13 and 14, as shown particularly in Fig. 6, is the leg 15 of a small substantially U-shaped metallic bracket 15 having its body-portion lying between and spaced from coll 11 and the body-portion of frame9 and its said leg 15 and opposite leg 15 presented forwardly as shown, see particularly Figs. 1 and 6..

rl `he primary winding of coils 11 and 11', which may be of any suitable length, is preferably in series, one end, as at c, thereof being grounded upon, or electrically connected to, said insulated le 15 of bracket 15, as shown particularly in Fig. 7, and the opposite end, as at d, passing through a suitableopening in said flange a of frame 9 and being electrically connected to a suitable extended arc-shaped contact terminal 16 arranged on the outer face of head-disk 8, see particularly Figs. 1 and 3. Secured, as shown, and electrically connected to the opposite flange, or to flange b, of frame 9, is an elongated spring-member 18 angularly bent, as shown, to normally loosely lie against and swingably contact at its lower or free end with said leg 15 of bracket 15; and arranged on the inner face of, and carried by, the free end of springmember 18, as shown, is an armature member 19 adapted to coperate with and be alternately attracted by and drawn out of engagement with the legs of said magnet, as` will be well understood. The secondary winding of said coils'is provided with, or divided by, a plurality of leads electrically incenso connected, respectively, to suitable spaced apart or separated contact terminals j, z', h, g, f, and e, arranged preferably in the form of an arc on the outer face of head-disk 8 and directly opposite said contact terminal 16, as shown particularly in Figs. 3/ and 6, so that the intensity of the induced current supplied to lthe electrodes of the instrument may lbe varied or regulated, as hereinafter more fully appearing, said winding with its said leads being formed or wound as follows: The wire of the secondary winding, which is, as is usual, very fine, is at one end first suitably connected preferably to the end al of the primary winding, then given a predetermined number of windings or turns on' the primary winding, then led to,

and electrically connected with, rst contact j, then again given a predetermined number of windings or turns on the primary winding, then led to, and electrically connectedwith, second contact z', then again given a predetermined'number of windings or turns on the primary winding, then led to, and electrically connected with, contact h, and so on throughout said series of separated contacts, there being preferably approximately on the coils here shown forty-five feet of wire of the secondary winding wound on the primary winding between the several respective contacts of said series and the secondary wire being finally electrically connected at its other end to the last contact e. Secured, by means of suitable screws or other fastening devices 20, in, and adapted to close, the upper end of shell 1, is a prefer-l ably rounded, somewhat coneshaped block of suitable insulation material 21 preferably provided on its under face with an integral depending ring-shaped portion 22.

23 indicates a suitable metallic roller which is adapted to provide one of the electrodes of my new instrument. This roller 23, whichy is preferably hollow and garovided on its periphery with a plurality o circular or cup-shaped recesses for depressions 24;, is suitably supported by, and journaled in and between the outer ends of, the outwardly-extending legs 25-25 of a substantially U-shapedmetallic frame 26 mounted on said insulation block 21 and held in position thereon by, and electrically contacting with, a suitable metallic through-bolt 27 eX- tending longitudinally vthrough said block 21 with its lower endwithin said ringportion 22 and threaded to receive a securing-nut 28.

Suitably secured at or adjacent one end, as by screws 29, on, and preferably adjacent the outer edge of, the under faoe of' insulation member or closure 21, are suitable substantially arc-shaped cont-act members 30 and 31 adapted, respectively, to coperate v and electrically engage on the rot-ary movement of member A with said contact 16- and said series of separated contacts j, i, Iz.,

Aso

and e. arranged on disk or head 8, sal contact members and 31 being each at its free end gradually bent or curved downwardly and then at its end bent upwardly, sol as to provide curved portions, as at 30 and 31', respectively, adapted to ride easily and smoothly over and electrically engage with said contacts on disk or .head 8. Suitably secured on the under face of said insulation block 21 is a short metallic strip 32 adapted to electrically connect said contact member 31 with said through-bolt 27 and its carried roller or electrode 23; and also arranged on the under face of block 2l and electrically connected to contactmember 30 is a short metallic strip 33 eX- Atending outwardly to the edge of block 21,

where it is bent upwardly, as at 33, and thereby adapted to electrically contact with, and complete the primary circuit to, shell 1;

At proper place relatively to head-disk 8, shell 1 is provided with a circumferential slot, as at 34, and arranged on shell 1, so as to cover said slot 31, is a ring 35 held in position by means of a preferably knobheaded screw 36 threaded into said disk 8 and which screw 36 serves also as operating means for rotarily moving said member A in shell 1 to move said contact members 30 and 31 into electrical engagement with 4the said contacts onhead 8 and thereby complete the primary circuit and throw the electrode or roller 21 into the secondary circuit.

When operating-screw 36 is at the letthand end of slot 34 or at zero or normal position, contact-members 16 and 30, as well as also said contact-member 31 and said series of separated contacts, are out of contact or electrical engagement and the primary circuit .is open. On member A being rotarily moved to the right, contact-members 16 and 30are brought into engagement and the primary circuit is then closed and com leted'from Ibattery element or contact 2b, t rough plate v6 :screw 6, frame 9 and its flange I), springl member. 18, bracket 15, primary-winding of coils 11 and 11, contact-member 16, strip 33, casing or shell l, cap 4, and coiled sprin 5 to other battery element or contact 2'. ormally, as before stated, the free end ofspring 18 is in electrical engagement with bracket 15; as soon, however, as thecurrent from battery 2 begins to circulate in said primary winding of coils 11 and 11 and around the cores thereof, said cores forming said magnet become magnet-ized and thereby said armature 19 is alternately attracted and, on the intermittent breaking of the current by said spring 18 being so moved out of contact with bracket 15, drawn out of electrical engagement therewith by spring 18 returning to normal position. These said act-ions ta e place in rapid succession and constantly produce a change in the lines' of force passing through sald magnet or cores, thereby inducing a'current in the secondary winding, the current from which will flow through one of sai-d separated contacts j, i, lz, g, f, or e, depending upon the rotated position 'of member A, through contactmember 31, strip 32, bolt 27, and frame 26, to electrode or roller 23, the intensity of such induced current -belng readily regulated or varied by bodily rotating member A and thereby bringing contact member'3l into electrical engagement with one of said contacts of said series, as may be desired, the induced vcurrent flowing through contact y' being of least intensity and the induced current flowing through contact e being of greatest intensity. The shell or casing 1 may be provided adjacent slot 34 with a series of numbers, as shown, to indicate the engagement of contact member 31 with a particular contact of said series and thereby enable the operator to visually gage the strength or intensity of the current supplied to the electrode or roller 23. By arranging said coils as shown with their cores closely adjacent, the pulsations of the primary circuit are exceedingly rapid withv the armature 19 moving or swinging back and forth likewise exceedingly rapidly and shocks to the user are consequently eliminated, and by my construction as described I am enabled to develop a comparatively large or heavy induced current in the secondary winding with a small battery and, at the same time, conserve the energy, and thereby lengthen the life, of the battery.

In operation or use, my new instrument may be personally employed, and the massage roller 23 applied to or rolled upon the portion of the bodyl'to be treated, by the patient himself, or the treatment may be applied upon the patient by an operator or the like. In the former case shell 1 is grasped in the hand of the patient and the massage roller or electrode 23 personally applied to or rolled upon the portion of the ody to be treated, the current flowing from electrode or roller 23 through the body of they patientback to shell 1 and battery 2. Inthe latter case, an electrode E comprising a suitable referably wooden or other insulation han le 37 provided at one end with a metallic plate 38 having secured thereto a sponge or'the like 39 and electrically connected, as shown, to cap 4 by means of a wire or the like 40, is grasped 4by handle 37 in the hand ofthe patient or operator, wet sponge 39 applied to a portion-of the body of the patient and roller or electrode 23 then by the operator a plied to or rolled upon the portion of th'e liody of .the patient to be treated, the current, as will be clear, flowing lthrough the body of 'the patient. By means of `said indentations or vns herein shown and described without departing from the nature and ,spirit of .my 1nvention.

What I` claim 1s 1. A massage instrumentcomprising` Ya conducting handle, a conducting massage implement carried by said handle, an induction coil in the casing having an extended contact terminal at one end for the primary Winding and a divided secondary Winding with a series of separated terminals at the same end of the induction coil as the extended primary contact, a source of intermittent current in the handle for the primary Winding of the induction coil, conducting brushes in the casing in operative relation to the terminals of the secondary Winding of the induction coil and the extended primary terminal contact, and means accessible from the exterior of the casing for causing a relative movement of the brushes and the contacts carried by the induction coil.

2.. A massage instrument comprising a conducting handle, a conducting massage implement carried by said handle, an induction coil in the ycasing movable about the longitudinal axis of the casing and provided With an extended contact terminal at one end for the primary Winding of the coil, said induction coil also having a divided secondary Winding with a series of' separated contactterminals at the same end of the coil as the extended primaryrontact,

Va source of intermittent current in the handle for the. primary Winding of the induction coil', fixed conducting brushes in the casing in operative relation to the terminals of the secondary Winding of the induction coils and the extended primary cont-act terminal, and means accessible from the exterior of the casing for causing a rotative movement of the induction coil to bring the brushes inte engagement With said extended primary contact and with chosen ones of the secondary contact terminals.

3. A massage instrument comprising a handle in the form of a conducting casing, an insulating closure for one end of' the casing, a massage instrument carried by the insulating closure, contact brushes carried by the insulating closure, one of said brushes being connected With the massage implement and the other With the casing, an induction coil Within the casing and provided at one end With contacts adapted to engage the respective brushes carried by the closure,

a rheotome carried by the induction coil, a battery Within the casing and means accessible from the exterior of the casing for rotating the induction coil about its longitudilnal axis to bring the contact terminals carried by the induction coil into engagement -With the brushes carried by t-he insulating closure.

4. In a massage instrument, a conducting handle, a conducting massage implement carried by, 'and insulated from, said handle, an induction coil in the handle rotarily movable about the longitudinal axis thereof, said coil having an extended contact termi-A nal'at one end'for the vprimary Winding thereof and a divided secondary Winding With a series of separated contact terminals -at the same end thereof as said extended primary contact, a source of intermittent current in the handle for the primary Winding of said coil, lixed conducting contacts in the casing in operative relation to the said separated terminals of` said secondary Winding of' said coilV and to said extended primary contact terminal, one of said fixed contacts being adapted, on the engagementl therewith of said extended primary contact, to close the primary circuit through said handle and the other of said fixed contacts being adapted, on the engagement therewith of one of said separated contacts, to throw said massage implement inthe secondary circuit, and means accessible from the exterior of the casing for causing a rotative movement of said coil to bring its said contacts into engagement with said respective xed contact terminals; substantially as described.

5. In a massage instrument, a conducting handle, a conducting massage implement carried by, and insulated from, said handle,l an induction coil in the handle rctarily movable about the longitudinalaxis thereof, said coil having an extended contact terminal at one end for the primary Winding thereof and a divided secondary Winding With a series of separated contact terminals at the same end 'thereof as said extended primary contact, a source of intermittent current in the handle for the primary Winding of said coil, fixed conducting contacts in the casing in operative relation to said extended primary contact and to said series of separated contacts, one of said xed contacts being in said casing and throw said massage implement in the secondary circuit; substantially as described.

' 6. In a massage instrument, a handle in the form of a conducting casing, any induction coil in said casing rotarily movable ausl about the longitudinal axis thereof, said coilh'avin an extended contact terminal at one end or the primary winding thereof anda divided secondary winding with a series of separated contact terminals at the sameend thereof vas said extended primary contact, a source of intermittent current in said casing for theprimary winding of said coil, a closure of insulation material fitting -in one end. of said casing, a massage implement carried by said closure, fixed conductingcontacts on said closure in operative relation to said series of separated terminals lof said .secondary winding of said coil and tc said extended primary contact terminal,`

l said coil to bring its said extended primary contact'and one of said secondary contact terminals into electrical engagement with -said respective lfixed contacts `and thereby close the rimary circuit through. said'handle and t rawv said massage implement in' the .secondaryfcirouite substantially as described. y

7'. In a massage trument, a handle in lthe formof a-metallic casing, a member romovablel in said casingv about the longitudinal axis thereof, an induction coil 'Awith its amature carried by and movable taril wit-hsaid memberand having a divided secondaryl winding, a vbattery -iii said casing normallyin. electrical connection with the primary wind' amature and a therewith to/ provide a source of intermittentfcurrent for the pri,- mary windi of,` said coil, an extended-.contact termina carried by said memberffor the-primary winding of said coil, a series of separated contact terminals for said divided secondaryrwinding of said vcoil carried by said memberat the same end thereof as said extended primary contact, a closure of insulation material carried $3' massa e implement carri by said closure, a fixed contact member carried by said closure in operative relation to said extended primary contact and in electrical connection with said'` casing, a second fixed contact memw ber carried by said closure inoperative relation to said series of separated contact terminals and in electrical connection with said 4 massa e implement, and means accessible from t e exterior of'said casing for causing a rotative movement of said member to of said coil and its said said casing, a'

bring said extended primary contact into electrical engagement with said first fixed Contact and one of said secondary contact terminals into electrical engagement with said second fixed contact and thereby close the primary circuit through said casing and throw said massage implement into said secondary'circuit; substantially as described.

8. In a massage instrument, a handle. in the form of a metallic casing, a member rotarily movable in said casing about the longitudinal axis thereof, an induction coil with its armature carried by and movable with said member and having a divided' secondary winding, a battery arranged in, and in electrical engagement at'one side with, said casing, said battery being normally at its other side in electrical connection with the primary winding of said coil and its said armature and adapted therewith to provide a source of intermittent current for the primary winding of said coil, an extended contact terminal carried by said member for the primary winding of said coil, aseries of separated contact terminals for said divided secondary winding of said'coil carried by saidmember at the same end thereof as said extended primary contact, a closure of insulation material carried b said casing, a massa e implement carrie by said closure, a xe c ontact Amember carried b said closure in operative relation to sai extended primary contact and in electrical connection with said casing, ga secondvfixed contact member carried by said closure'inv operative relation to said series ofseparated contact eov aol

terminals and in electrical 'connection with said massage implement, and means accessible from the exterior of said casing Yfor causing a rotative movement of said member' 'the form of a metallic casing, a member including a metallic frame rotarily movable in said casingf' about 4the lon 'tudinal axis thereof, an induction coil wit its armature carried by and movable with said -frame and lhaving a .divided secondary winding,` a battery arranged in, and` in electrical engagement at one side with, said casing, said battery being normally at its other sidein elec.- trical connection with said frame and therethrough with the primary winding 'of said coil and Aits said armature and adapted therewith to provide a source 'ofl intermittent current for the primary winding of said coil, an extended contact terminal car# ried by said member forthe primary wind-V ing of said coil, a series of separated contact terminals for said divided secondary winding of said coil carried by said member at thev same end thereof as said extended primary contact, a closure ot insulation material carried by Isaid casing, a massage implement carried by said closure, a fixed contact member carriedby said closure in operative relation to said extended primary contact and in electrical connection with said casing, a second fixed contact member carried by said closure in operative relation to said series of separated contact terminals and in electrical connection with said massage implement, and means accessible from the exterior of said casing for causing a rotative movement of said member to bring said extended primary Contact intoelectrical engagement with said first' xed contact and one of said secondary contact terminals into electrical engagement with said second fixed contact and thereby close the primary circuit through said casing and throw said massage implement into said secondary circuit; substantially as'I described.

10. In a massage instrument,a casing, and a member arranged in said casing andcomprising a conducting frame, an induction coil carried by said frame and having its armature normally in electrical connection therewith, said coil being provided with a divided secondary winding, an extended contact terminal carried by said member/for the primary winding of said coil, and a series of separated contact terminals carried by said member for the divided secondary winding of said coil; substantially as described.

11. In a massage instrument, a casing, and a. member arranged in said casing and comprisinga conducting frame, a plurality of series-wound induction coils carried by said frame and having a divided secondary winding, the cores of said coils lying closely ad' jacent and forming with said `frame/a substantially horse-shoe magnet, an armature normally in electrical connection with said frame and carried thereby in operative relation to said cores, an extended Contact terminal carried by said member for the primary winding of said coil.; and a series of separated Contact terminals carried by said member for the divided secondary Winding of said coils; substantially as described.

12. In a massage instrument, a casing, and a member arranged in said casing and comprising a base, a head, a conducting frame carried by and between said base and head, a plurality of series-wound induction Loaaoeo l coils carried by said frame and having a divided secondary winding, the cores of said coils lying closely adjacent and forming with said trame a substantially horse-shoe magnet, an armaturenormally in electrical described.

13. A massage instrument comprising a conductor handle, an'interrupter rotatably mounted therein, a massage roller carried by one end of said handle, said interrupter provided with a plurality ofdiskportions, a substantially U-shaped frame between said disk portions, and secured thereto, indue Y tion coils carried by said substantially U- shaped frame, an armature carried by said substantially U-shaped frame and adapted to be attracted by said coils when the current passes therethrough, and contact means communicating with said interrupter and roller and battery for supplying an electrical current therethrough.

lll. A. massage instrument comprising a suitable massage implement, a handle therefor,` a frame rotatably mounted in said handle, induction coils carried by said frame, a battery housed in said handle, and contact terminals formed upon said battery and frame, said coils being electrically connected'with said contact terminals carried by said frame, whereby when said frame is rotated in said handle various contact ter* minals will be brought into contact with said coils for regulating the flow of current therethrough.

15. A massage instrument comprising a suitable massage implement, a handle therefor, a frame rotatably mounted in said handle, a battery housed in said handle, induction coils carried by saidframe, means extending through said handle and engaging said frame for allowing the frame to be easily rotated, contact/terminals carried by said frame, said coils being electrically vconnected with said contact terminals, and means coperating therewith for regulating the flow of current therethrough.

In testimony whereof 'I hereunto aihx' my signature in presenceof `two witnesses.

DANIEL TBBALS. Witnesses:

ROBERT J. PARVIN, JOHN F. DAVIS. 

